asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of salmon that ascended the pass at Ballyshannon hydro-electric scheme during the last three seasons; and the number of salmon netted in the estuary of the Erne.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erne Salmon Statistics.
92.
I am informed that the number of salmon that ascended the pass at Ballyshannon hydro-electric scheme during the last three seasons is as follows:
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1971—2,724 |
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1972—2,875 |
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1973—2,484 |
The net catches of salmon in the Erne estuary during these years were 2,680, 31 and seven respectively.
I did not catch the figures the Parliamentary Secretary gave.
The number of salmon that ascended the pass at Ballyshannon hydro-electric scheme were: 2,724 in 1971, 2,875 in 1972 and 2,484 in 1973. The net catches of salmon in the Erne estuary during these these years were: 2,680 in 1971, 31 in 1972 and seven in 1973.
31,000?
31 fish. As the Deputy knows, fishing was limited to a few days because of the regulations made that so many fish must escape before permission is granted to fish. In actual fact they were only allowed to fish a few days in the last two years.
Question No. 95.
That is, I assume, the reason for the big reduction from over 2,000 to seven. It is all connected with the conservation measures the Department are taking.
Did the Parliamentary Secretary say that the Department are taking conservation measures?
So many fish must escape before permission to fish is granted.
Question No. 95.
Surely the Parliamentary Secretary is aware there must be a specific reason for this overall reduction? In 1971 there were over 5,000 fish between what escaped and what were caught. In 1972 there were something under 3,000 between what escaped and what were caught and in 1973 the figure was under 2,000 between what escaped and what were caught.
The Deputy is making a statement.
This means less than half the total inside three years.
The big increase in the net catches of salmon during 1972 and 1973 as compared with 1971 is largely due to the fact that in these years in the interests of conservation fishing was restricted in the tidal waters of the Erne by not allowing additional and net fishing until such time as 2,000 fish had been recorded as passing through the counter on the ESB installation at Ballyshannon. The figure of 2,000 fish was settled for 1972 and 1973 as the minimum escapement which was needed to maintain the future well-being of the river.
Question No. 95.
Regardless of what were the reasons the fact emerges clearly that less than half the number of salmon went up that estuary than went up two years previously and there must be an underlying reason for this that does not emerge as a result of conservation.
That is a statement. Question No. 93.
There is another complication. The Deputy has made the point about half the fish but there was a complication during 1973 by reason of the fact that there was an apparent malfunctioning of the counter operated by the ESB. We are not positive on account of this malfunctioning.
Question No. 95.